Applications are currently open for several exciting internship and research opportunities offered by leading universities, research institutes and international organisations around the world. From Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia and Austria to opportunities with UNESCO and the United Nations, these programmes offer students and graduates the chance to gain international experience, develop professional skills and work alongside experts in their fields.

Some of these opportunities are fully funded or paid, while others provide the opportunity to gain experience with globally recognised organisations.

Below are 10 international internships currently accepting applications.

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1. OIST Research Internship 2027 in Japan

The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Research Internship Programme gives students and recent graduates the opportunity to undertake research alongside OIST faculty in Japan. The programme is particularly attractive for students considering postgraduate study or a future research career.

Key Details

• Host: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University
• Country: Japan
• Internship Period: April–September 2027
• Duration: 4–6 months
• Application Deadline: 15 October 2026, 23:59 JST
• Funding: Funded
• Allowance: JPY 2,400 per working day
• Travel: One direct round-trip air ticket
• Accommodation: Furnished accommodation provided
• English Test: IELTS/TOEFL is not compulsory

Eligibility

• Students in the final two years of a Bachelor's degree
• Students enrolled in any year of a Master's degree
• Bachelor's or Master's graduates may also apply
• Applicants may be studying at institutions inside or outside Japan
• Academic background should match the selected OIST research area
• Current and graduated PhD students are not eligible

Official Website

www.oist.jp/admissions/research-internship/apply-research-internship

Apply

graduateschool.oist.jp/apply/

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2. Max Planck Computer Science Research Internship 2027

The Max Planck Institutes in Germany offer highly competitive research internships for talented students interested in computer science. Interns work directly with leading researchers across areas including artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision, security, robotics, algorithms and software systems.

Key Details

• Host: Max Planck Institutes
• Country: Germany
• Field: Computer Science and related areas
• Typical Duration: 12–14 weeks
• Summer 2027 Deadline: 1 November 2026
• Other Start Dates: Applications considered year-round; apply at least five months ahead
• Funding: Fully funded
• Benefits: Living stipend, accommodation and round-trip travel costs
• Working Language: English

Eligibility

• Bachelor's students
• Master's students
• PhD students
• Applicants from universities worldwide
• Applicants should have a strong computer science background
• Excellent academic performance is expected
• Relevant interdisciplinary applicants may also be considered
• Industry applicants interested in academic CS research may apply

Official Website

www.cis.mpg.de/internships/

Apply

apply.cis.mpg.de/register/internship

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3. EPFL Summer Research Program 2027 in Switzerland

The EPFL School of Life Sciences Summer Research Program offers international students an eight-week research experience in Switzerland. Selected students join an EPFL laboratory and participate in cutting-edge research across life sciences and related disciplines.

Key Details

• Host: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
• Country: Switzerland
• Program Dates: 5 July – 27 August 2027
• Duration: 8 weeks
• Deadline: 15 November 2026
• Stipend: CHF 3,600
• Travel Reimbursement: Up to CHF 1,000 for overseas travel
• Housing: Arranged by the programme and paid from the stipend

Eligibility

• Applicants from any country
• Must be studying a relevant degree
• Must have completed at least two years of Bachelor's-level study
• Eligible up to the first year of a Master's degree
• Must remain enrolled as a student during the programme
• Relevant fields include biology, chemistry, bioengineering, biophysics, bioinformatics and quantitative biology
• PhD students are not eligible

Official Website

www.epfl.ch/schools/sv/education/summer-research-program/

Apply

programs-recruiting.epfl.ch/position/49446925

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4. KAUST Visiting Student Research Program – Saudi Arabia

The KAUST Visiting Student Research Program (VSRP) is an excellent opportunity for international STEM students to undertake research at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia.

With more than 100 research projects available, students can select an area matching their academic interests and work alongside KAUST researchers.

Key Details

• Host: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
• Country: Saudi Arabia
• Duration: 2–6 months
• Deadline: Applications accepted year-round
• Funding: Fully funded
• Monthly Stipend: USD 1,000
• Accommodation: Private bedroom and bathroom
• Travel: Return airfare provided
• Application Fee: None

Eligibility

• Undergraduate students in their third year or above
• Master's students
• Minimum GPA of 3.5/4.0 or equivalent
• Relevant STEM academic background
• English-language proficiency required
• Recent graduates may be eligible where their degree was completed within one year of the internship start date
• Current PhD candidates and KAUST students/alumni are not eligible

Official Website

www.admissions.kaust.edu.sa/study/internships

Apply / Find a Project

www.admissions.kaust.edu.sa/internship/search

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5. ISTA Year-Round Scientific Internship in Austria

The Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) offers year-round scientific internships for students and recent graduates interested in research.

Unlike a fixed summer programme, applicants identify a research group that matches their interests and contact the relevant group leader or scientist.

Key Details

• Host: Institute of Science and Technology Austria
• Country: Austria
• Duration: 2 months–1 year
• Deadline: No central deadline – applications accepted continuously
• Salary: Minimum €1,583 gross per month
• Application Fee: None
• Working Language: English

Eligibility

• Current Bachelor's students
• Current Master's students
• Recent Bachelor's or Master's graduates
• Relevant subjects include:
  • Natural sciences
  • Computer science
  • Mathematics
  • Related disciplines
• Must be available for at least two months
• Research interests should match an ISTA research group
• Good command of English required

Official Website

www.phd.pages.ista.ac.at/scientific-internships/

Research Groups / Application Route

www.phd.pages.ista.ac.at/all-research-groups/

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6. UNESCO Internship Programme 2026

The UNESCO Internship Programme gives students and recent graduates an opportunity to gain practical experience within a United Nations specialised agency.

Internships may be available across UNESCO headquarters, field offices and institutes and can cover education, science, culture, communications, administration and other areas.

Key Details

• Organisation: UNESCO
• Locations: Multiple international locations
• Duration: 1–6 months
• Deadline: 31 December 2026
• Funding: Unpaid
• Fields: Multiple sectors and professional areas

UNESCO currently has its All Sectors/Bureaus internship pool open until 31 December 2026. UNESCO Careers

Eligibility

• Must be at least 20 years old
• Must be in the third/final year of a Bachelor's degree, or
• Enrolled in a Master's or PhD programme, or
• Have completed a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD within the relevant recent-graduate period
• Strong English or French required
• Good computer skills
• Ability to work effectively in an international environment

Official Website

www.careers.unesco.org/

Apply

www.careers.unesco.org/job/Multiple-INTERNSHIP-All-Sectors-Bureaus/1331682557/

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7. UN JIU Research and Analysis Internship – Geneva

The United Nations Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) is accepting applications for its Research and Analysis Internship candidate pool.

This opportunity is particularly suitable for students and graduates interested in research, evaluation, international organisations, policy and data analysis.

Key Details

• Organisation: United Nations Joint Inspection Unit
• Location: Geneva, Switzerland
• Working Arrangement: In-person preferred; remote or hybrid may be considered
• Deadline: 22 January 2027
• Level: I-1 Internship
• Recruitment Type: Candidate Pool
• Funding: UN Secretariat internships are generally unpaid

Eligibility

Applicants should generally:

• Be enrolled in or have completed a graduate programme, or
• Be in or have completed the final year of a Bachelor's degree
• Demonstrate strong research and analytical ability
• Have good Microsoft Office skills
• Be comfortable working in an international environment
• Have a strong interest in the work of the United Nations

Official Website

www.careers.un.org/

Apply / Vacancy Details

www.careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/281536

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8. UN IIIM Internet Resources Internship – Geneva / Remote

The United Nations International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) offers an Internet Resources Internship for candidates interested in areas such as international affairs, law, information management, technology, cybersecurity and data.

A major advantage is that the internship can be completed remotely or in person.

Key Details

• Organisation: United Nations – IIIM
• Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland
• Mode: Remote or in-person
• Working Arrangement: Full-time
• Deadline: 4 March 2027
• Level: I-1
• Recruitment Type: Candidate Pool
• Funding: Unpaid

Suitable academic backgrounds may include:

• International relations
• Law
• Journalism
• International politics
• Data science
• Artificial intelligence
• Machine learning
• Cybersecurity
• Information security
• Digital forensics
• Engineering/software engineering
• Related disciplines

Official Website

www.careers.un.org/

Apply / Vacancy Details

www.careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/273246

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9. UN Political Affairs Internship – Information Analysis & Data Visualisation

This United Nations internship provides an opportunity to contribute to political analysis, research, data management and data visualisation within the UN's peace and security work.

It is particularly relevant for students interested in international relations, political science, policy, data analytics and global affairs.

Key Details

• Organisation: United Nations
• Duty Station: New York, USA
• Mode: In-person preferred, with remote and hybrid possibilities
• Duration: Approximately 3–6 months
• Deadline: 6 May 2027
• Level: I-1
• Funding: Unpaid

Eligibility

Applicants should generally:

• Be enrolled in or have completed a graduate programme, or
• Be in or have recently completed the final year of a Bachelor's degree
• Have a relevant academic background such as:
  • International relations
  • Political science
  • Social sciences
  • Public policy
  • Economics
  • Law
  • Statistics
  • Data analysis
• Strong research and analytical skills are desirable
• Data visualisation/data management skills are an advantage
• Fluency in English is required

Official Website

www.careers.un.org/

Apply / Vacancy Details

www.careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/276487

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10. UN OHCHR Human Rights Internship – Geneva / Remote

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) offers internships for students and graduates interested in human rights and the work of the United Nations.

The current candidate-pool opportunity provides flexibility, with internships potentially undertaken remotely or in person.

Key Details

• Organisation: UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
• Location: Geneva, Switzerland
• Mode: Remote or in-person
• Schedule: Full-time or part-time
• Duration: 3–6 months
• Application Deadline: 1 January 2027
• Funding: Unpaid

Eligibility

Applicants must generally:

• Be enrolled in or have completed a graduate programme, or
• Be enrolled in or have completed the final academic year of a Bachelor's degree
• Be interested in human rights and international affairs
• Be able to work effectively with people from different cultural backgrounds
• Have relevant academic, research, volunteering or project experience
• Be fluent in English or French
• Knowledge of another UN official language can be an advantage

Official Website

www.careers.un.org/

Apply / Vacancy Details

www.careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/280477

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Final Note

International internships can be highly competitive, so applicants should check the eligibility criteria carefully and apply as early as possible. Deadlines, available projects and programme conditions can also change, so always review the official programme page before submitting an application.

Opportunities such as OIST, Max Planck, EPFL, KAUST and ISTA are particularly attractive for applicants looking for funded or paid international research experience, while the UN and UNESCO internships can provide valuable exposure to international organisations and global policy environments.